The Scottish star, 42, apparently became dependent on pills after he was injured in a surfing accident last December and admitted himself to the Betty Ford Clinic.

A spokesperson said: "Gerard has completed a successful course of treatment and has returned home in good health. We will not be making any further comment at this time."

The actor is reported to have relied on painkillers since the physically demanding shoot for action movie 300 - which was released in 2006 - but his habit apparently turned into a full-blown addiction following his accident.

Butler is starring in a movie about the life of surfer Jay Moriarty, Of Men And Mavericks, and was filming when he was trapped beneath the waves in December.

He later said it was a "pretty close call" and added: "This was maybe one of the few times that the reports were not exaggerated. [The waves] just took me and I couldn't get up."